BMW diesels delayed in U.S. by stricter emissions tests

A BMW spokesman said production will begin “once homologation has been finalized.”

The U.S. launches of new BMW 3-series diesel variants and two crossovers with diesel engines have been delayed by the Environmental Protection Agency's crackdown on diesels.

BMW said it is still awaiting production certification of all 2017 diesels and would not say now long this would take.

“In light of recent events, agencies are taking longer to certify diesel models for the U.S., but there has been no indication that BMW’s diesel models do not meet all requisite emission standards or that there is a defeat device in the vehicle,” BMW said in a statement.

The affected 2017 models are the 328d sedan, the 328d Sports Wagon, and the X3 xDrive28d and X5 xDrive35d crossovers. A spokesman said production will begin “once homologation has been finalized.”

The EPA would not specifically confirm delaying BMW’s models. But the agency did confirm in an email: “It is true that diesel vehicles are getting extra scrutiny and that has extended the certification process longer than normal. In general, manufacturers have been supportive of this additional testing and have adjusted their timing to account for the additional test duration.”

Regulators are subjecting diesels to additional testing because of the ongoing scandal over Volkswagen diesels. VW admitted last fall that it rigged some 11 million diesel-powered vehicles worldwide with defeat device software that turns emissions controls on only when the vehicle senses it’s being tested. In regular driving, the systems turn off, which boosts engine performance and fuel economy but permits up to 40 times the legal limit of pollution.